Trowel

ABSTRACT

A trowel includes a blade and a handle that is moveably coupled to blade. Further, the trowel includes a cam mechanism that is supported by one of the blade and the handle and is operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle. The cam mechanism is actuatable to change a position of the handle relative to the blade.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/907,636, filed Nov. 22, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to hand tools. In particular, the presentinvention related to trowels.

Trowels are hand tools that are typically used for smoothing, spreadingor digging a material. For example, trowels are frequently used tospread, smooth, or extract cement, plaster, mortar or dirt forconstruction or maintenance projects such as tiling, bricklaying, orgardening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides a trowel including a blade anda handle that is moveably coupled to the blade. Further, the trowelincludes a cam mechanism supported by one of the blade and the handleand that is operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle.The cam mechanism is actuatable to change a position of the handlerelative to the blade.

In another embodiment the invention provides a trowel including a blade,a handle that is slidably coupled to the blade, and a cam mechanismcoupled to the handle and including a cam surface. The cam mechanism ismoveable between a first position, in which the cam surface engages aportion of the blade to fix the handle relative to the blade, and asecond position, in which the handle is moveable relative to the blade.

In another embodiment the invention provides a handle for a trowelincluding a blade. The handle includes a body that is configured tocouple to the blade and a cam mechanism coupled to the body andincluding a cam surface. The cam mechanism is actuateable to change anamount of force the cam surface exerts on the blade.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a blade and ahandle having a cam mechanism according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1 a is a front perspective view of the trowel of FIG. 1 including adifferent blade.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the trowel of FIG. 1, with a gripremoved from the handle.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the trowel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the trowel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 1, taken alongsection line 5-5, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a firstposition.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 1, taken alongsection line 5-5, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a secondposition.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a handle havinga cam mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a portion of the trowel of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 7, taken alongsection line 9-9, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a firstposition.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 7, taken alongsection line 9-9, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a secondposition.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a handlehaving a cam mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 11, taken alongsection line 12-12, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a firstposition.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the trowel of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a trowel 10 according to one embodiment of theinvention. The trowel 10 includes body or blade 14 that defines alongitudinal axis A (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade14 is substantially rectangular, although the blade 14 may have anysuitable shape. For example, the blade 14 a illustrated in Fig. laincludes recesses or gullets 16 formed along two edges of the blade 14a. Teeth 17 are defined between adjacent recesses 16. In the illustratedembodiment, the recesses 16 and the teeth 17 are substantiallyrectangular, but may be other shapes (e.g., arcuate).

Referring back to FIGS. 1-6, the trowel 10 also includes a spine 18 thatextends upwardly and generally perpendicular from the blade 14. Thespine 18 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In the illustratedembodiment, the spine 18 is coupled to the blade 14 by a fasteners(e.g., screws, rivets, and the like, which are not shown). The fastenersextend through apertures 20 in the spine 18. In other embodiments, thespine 18 is integrally formed with the blade 14. The illustrated spine18 includes a first track 22 formed on a first side of the spine 18 anda second track 26 formed on a second side of the spine 18. The firsttrack 22 and the second track 26 extend substantially the entire lengthof the spine 18 and are oriented parallel to one another and to thelongitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the first track 22and the second track 26 have substantially triangularly-shapedcross-sections (as shown in FIG. 3), although in other embodiments thetracks 22, 26 may have other configurations. For example, in theembodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the first track 222 and the second track 226have substantially arcuately-shaped cross-sections (as shown in FIG.13).

Further with respect to FIGS. 1-6, the trowel 10 also includes a handle30 that is adjustably coupled to the spine 18. The handle 30 defines alongitudinal axis B (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, thelongitudinal axis B of the handle 30 is generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis A of the blade 14 such that the handle 30 extendsgenerally parallel to an upper surface of the blade 14. In otherembodiments, the longitudinal axis B of the handle 30 may behorizontally angled and/or vertically angled relative to thelongitudinal axis A of the blade 14. The handle 18 includes a body 34and a projection or gripping portion 38 extending rearwardly from thebody 34. The illustrated gripping portion 38 is integrally formed withthe body 34, but may alternatively be formed as a separate piece fromthe body 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping portion 38 ofthe handle 30 is covered by a grip 42 that makes gripping the handle 30more comfortable to the user. The grip 42 is formed of, for example, anelastomeric material.

The body 34 of the handle 30 defines a recess 46 that extends throughthe body 34 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis B. The recess 46 isdefined by a first side wall 50 and a second side wall 54 of the body34, which are opposite each other. The side walls 50, 54 extend towardthe blade 14 to straddle the spine 18. Each of the first side wall 50and the second side wall 54 includes a substantially arcuately shapedprojection or rails 58, 62. The projections 58, 62 are sized and shapedto be received within the first track 22 and the second track 26,respectively, of the spine 18. The projections 58, 62 and the tracks 22,26 facilitate sliding the handle 30 along the spine 18 to adjust orchange the position of the handle 30 relative to the blade 14.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the handle 30 also includes a clampmember 66 and a locking lever or cam mechanism 70. While the clampmember 66 and the cam mechanism 70 are supported by the handle 30 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-6, in another embodiment the clamp member 66 andthe cam mechanism 70 may be supported by the blade 14. The clamp member66 and the cam mechanism 70 are operable to selectively fix the handle30 to the spine 18. That is, the cam mechanism 70 is actuatable by auser to secure the handle 30 to the spine 18 so that handle 30 is notmovable (i.e., is fixed) relative to the blade 14. In addition, the cammechanism 70 is actuatable by the user to release the handle 30 from thespine 18 so that the handle 30 is movable (e.g., slidable) along thespine 18 to change the position of the handle 30 relative to the blade14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp member 66 is at least partiallyreceived within the handle 30. The clamp member 66 is secured to a block72, which is positioned and secured within the recess 46 of the body 34of the handle 30. The clamp member 66 is pivotally coupled to the block72 for movement relative to the handle 30. The illustrated clamp member66 includes an engagement surface 82 and a tapered surface 84. Theengagement and the tapered surfaces 82, 84 are formed on opposite sidesof the clamp member 66. The engagement surface 82 is disposed adjacentthe spine 18 (i.e., facing the spine 18) when the handle 30 is coupledthereto. As such, the engagement surface 82 can selectively engage thespine 18. The tapered surface 84 is disposed adjacent the cam mechanism70 (i.e., facing the cam mechanism 70). As such, the tapered surface 84is engaged by the cam mechanism 70.

A fastener or screw 74 (FIG. 4) extends through the body 34 of thehandle 30, the block 72, and the clamp member 66 to secure the clampmember 66 relative to the handle 30. In particular, a through-hole 76(FIGS. 5 and 6) in the body 34 of the handle 30 is coaxially alignedwith bores 78, 80 in the clamp member 66 and the block 72, respectively.In the illustrated embodiment, the bore 78 in the clamp member 66 isthreaded. Also, the clamp member 66 is adjustable relative to the handle30, which will be discussed in greater detail below.

The cam mechanism 70 is pivotally coupled to the body 34 of the handle30 and positioned within the recess 46. The illustrated cam mechanism 70includes a manual actuator 90 and a cam surface 94. Actuation ormovement of the actuator 90 rotates the cam mechanism 70 about an axis C(FIG. 2). The axis C is defined by a fastener or pin 71 that is coupledto the body 34 and supports the cam mechanism 70. In the illustratedembodiment, the axis C is oriented generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis B of the handle 30. The cam surface 94 is defined by acam portion coupled to the actuator 90. The cam surface 94 engages thetapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66 to selectively move theengagement surface 82 of the clamp member 66 into and out of engagementwith the spine 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 90 andthe cam surface 94 are integrally formed as a single lever. In otherembodiments, the actuator 90 and the cam surface 94 may be separateelements that are coupled together.

The cam mechanism 70 is movable between a first, secured position (FIG.5) and a second, unsecured position (FIG. 6). In the secured position,the cam surface 94 exerts a first force on the tapered surface 84 of theclamp member 66. As such, the engagement surface 82 of the clamp member66 is pressed or compressed against a surface 96 of the spine 18 (e.g.,the upper surface), thereby securing or fixing the handle 30 to thespine 18 so that the handle 30 is not movable along the spine 18. In theunsecured position, the cam surface 94 does not exert a force, or atleast exerts substantially less force (i.e., a second force), on theclamp member 66, thereby allowing the handle 30 to slide relative to thespine 18. In other words, the second force is greater than or equal tozero PSI, but is less than the first force. The actuator 90 is movableby a user in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 5) to achieve the unlockedposition, and is movable in a direction substantially opposite the arrowD to achieve the locked position. In other words, the actuator 90 ismovable to change the amount of force the cam surface 94 exerts on theblade 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the clamp member 66 issubstantially wedge-shaped such that the engagement surface 82 of theclamp member 66 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A,and the tapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66 tapers at an angle θrelative to the engagement surface 82. In particular, the taperedsurface 84 of the clamp member 66 tapers away from the block 72 at theangle θ relative to the longitudinal axis A. As discussed above and withspecific reference to FIGS. 4-6, the clamp member 66 is adjustablerelative to the block 72 and, therefore, the handle 30. In particular,rotating the fastener 74 in a first direction tightens the clamp member66 (i.e., decreases the amount of the relative movement between theclamp member 66 and the handle 30) by pushing the clamp member 66 awayfrom the block 72. This is because as the clamp member 66 moves awayfrom the block 72, the cam surface 94 of the cam mechanism 70 contactslocations of the tapered surface 84 that correspond to increasinglythicker portions of the clamp member 66. Accordingly, by tightening theclamp member 66, the cam mechanism 70 will feel stiffer (e.g., harder tomove) to a user actuating the mechanism 70. The cam mechanism 70 and theclamp member 66 will also exert more force on the spine 18 when in thesecured position. In contrast, rotating the screw in a second directionloosens the clamp member 66 (i.e., increases the amount of the relativemovement between the clamp member 66 and the handle 30) by pulling theclamp member 66 toward the block 72. This is because as the clamp member66 moves toward the block 72, the cam surface 94 of the cam mechanism 70contacts locations of the tapered surface 84 that correspond toincreasingly thinner portions of the clamp member 66. Accordingly, byloosening the clamp member 66, the cam mechanism 70 will feel looser(e.g., easier to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70. The cammechanism 70 and the clamp member 66 will also exert less force on thespine 18 when in the secured position.

The clamp member 66 may have other configurations than that illustratedin FIGS. 1-6. For example, FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a trowel 10′ in whichthe clamp member 66′ has a different configuration. In particular, theengagement surface 82′ is substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis A′, and the tapered surface 84′ tapers at an angle 0′ relative tothe engagement surface 82′. In the illustrated embodiment, the taperedsurface 84′ of the clamp member 66′ tapers toward the block 72′ at theangle 0′ relative to the longitudinal axis A. As a result of thedirection of taper of the clamp member 66′, adjustment of the clampmember 66′ relative to the handle 30′ is opposite from that of the clampmember 66 of FIGS. 1-6. In particular and with specific reference toFIGS. 9 and 10, rotating the fastener 74′ in the first direction loosensthe clamp member 66′ (i.e., increases the amount of relative movementbetween the clamp member 66′ and the handle 30′) by pushing the clampmember 66′ away from the block 72′. This is because as the clamp member66′ moves away from the block 72′, the cam surface 94′ of the cammechanism 70′ contacts locations of the tapered surface 84′ thatcorrespond to increasingly thinner portions of the clamp member 66′.Accordingly, by loosening the clamp member 66′, the cam mechanism 70′will feel looser (e.g., easier to move) to a user actuating themechanism 70′. The cam mechanism 70′ and the clamp member 66′ will alsoexert less force on the spine 18′ when in the secured position. Incontrast, rotating the screw in the second direction tightens the clampmember 66′ (i.e., decreases the amount of the relative movement betweenthe clamp member 66′ and the handle 30′) by pulling the clamp member 66′toward the block 72′. This is because as the clamp member 66′ movestoward the block 72′, the cam surface 94′ of the cam mechanism 70′contacts locations of the tapered surface 84′ that correspond toincreasingly thicker portions of the clamp member 66′. Accordingly, bytightening the clamp member 66′, the cam mechanism 70′ will feel tighter(e.g., harder to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70′. The cammechanism 70′ and the clamp member 66′ will also exert more force on thespine 18′ when in the secured position.

Regardless of the configuration of the clamp member 66, 66′, however,the function of the clamp member 66, 66′ is the same in bothembodiments—that is to assist the cam mechanism 70′ in selectivelysecuring the handle 30, 30′ to the blade 14, 14′.

In addition to the structure of the clamp member 66′, the block 72′ thetrowel 10′ of FIGS. 7-10 of the trowel includes a lip 73′ and a fasteneror pin 75′ extending through the block 72′ and parallel to the axis C′of the cam mechanism 70′. The pin 75′ provides a pivot point such thatthe block 72′ is movable or pivotable about its axis relative to thebody 34′ of the handle 30′.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a trowel 200 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The trowel 200 of FIGS. 11-13 is similar to the trowel 10of FIGS. 1-6; therefore, like structures will be identified by likereference numbers plus “200” and only the differences between thetrowels 10, 200 will be discussed hereafter.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the trowel 200 includes a handle 230,but the handle 230 does not include a clamp member. Therefore, rotationof a cam mechanism 270 by an actuator 290 between the secured andunsecured positions causes a cam surface 294 of the cam mechanism 270 toapply and remove a force directly to a spine 218 of the trowel 200. Inother words, in the secured position, the cam surface 294 exerts a forcedirectly on a surface 296 of the spine 218, thereby securing the handle230 to the spine 218. Conversely, in the unsecured position, the camsurface 294 does not exert a force, or at least exerts a substantiallyless force, on the surface 296 of the spine 218, thereby allowing thehandle 230 to slide relative to the spine 218.

The above-described features may be constructed from the same materialor a combination of materials, and any suitable material may be used.For example, in each of the embodiments the bodies 34, 34′, 234 and theprojections 38, 38′, 238 of the handles 30, 30′, 230 are constructedfrom cast aluminum, and the cam mechanisms 70, 70′, 270 are constructedfrom stainless steel or any other suitable powdered metal. Further, theclamp member 66 is constructed from nylon or the like. Other materialsmay also or alternatively be used as well and are within the spirit andscope of the invention.

It should be understood that features of either of the two embodimentsthat are shown and described herein may be included and combined inother or additional embodiments for a trowel.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trowel comprising: a blade; a handle moveablycoupled to blade; and a cam mechanism supported by one of the blade andthe handle and operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle,the cam mechanism being actuatable to change a position of the handlerelative to the blade.
 2. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the cammechanism is movable between a first position, in which the handle isfixed relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the handleis moveable relative to the blade.
 3. The trowel of claim 1, wherein thecam mechanism includes a manual actuator and a cam surface, the camsurface engaging the other of the blade and the handle, the manualactuator being movable to change an amount of force the cam surfaceexerts on the other of the blade and the handle.
 4. The trowel of claim1, wherein the blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the cammechanism is pivotable about an axis that is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis.
 5. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the handle includesa clamp member that is positioned adjacent to the blade, the clampmember selectively engaging a portion of the blade to inhibit movementof the handle relative to the blade.
 6. The trowel of claim 5, whereinthe cam mechanism includes a manual actuator and a cam surface, the camsurface engaging the clamp member, the manual actuator being movable tochange an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the clamp member. 7.The trowel of claim 6, wherein the manual actuator is movable between afirst position, in which the cam surface exerts a first force on theclamp member to fix the handle relative to the blade, and a secondposition, in which the cam surface exerts a second force on the clampmember to allow relative movement between the handle and the blade. 8.The trowel of claim 5, wherein the clamp member is adjustable.
 9. Atrowel comprising: a blade; a handle slidably coupled to blade; and acam mechanism coupled to the handle and including a cam surface, the cammechanism moveable between a first position, in which the cam surfaceengages a portion of the blade to fix the handle relative to the blade,and a second position, in which the handle is moveable relative to theblade.
 10. The trowel of claim 9, wherein the cam mechanism includes amanual actuator, the manual actuator movable to move the cam mechanismbetween the first position and the second position.
 11. The trowel ofclaim 9, wherein in the first position the cam surface exerts a firstforce on the blade, and in the second position the cam surface exerts asecond force on the blade, the second force being less than the firstforce.
 12. The trowel of claim 9, wherein the blade includes alongitudinal axis and a spine extending along the longitudinal axis, thehandle being slidingly coupled to the spine.
 13. The trowel of claim 12,wherein the handle includes a clamp member that is positioned adjacentto the spine, the cam surface engaging the clamp member, the clampmember selectively engaging a portion of the spine to inhibit movementof the handle relative to the blade.
 14. The trowel of claim 13, whereinthe cam mechanism includes a manual actuator, the manual actuator beingmovable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the clampmember.
 15. The trowel of claim 13, wherein in the first position thecam surface exerts a first force on the clamp member to fix the handlerelative to the spine, and in the second position the cam surface exertsa second force on the clamp member to allow relative movement betweenthe handle and the spine.
 16. The trowel of claim 13, wherein the clampmember is adjustable.
 17. A handle for a trowel including a blade, thehandle comprising: a body configured to couple to the blade; and a cammechanism coupled to the body and including a cam surface, the cammechanism being actuatable to change an amount of force the cam surfaceexerts on the blade.
 18. The handle of claim 17, wherein the bladedefines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the cam mechanism is rotatableabout an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 19. Thehandle of claim 17, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuatorthat is movable to change the amount of force the cam surface exerts onthe blade.
 20. The handle of claim 19, wherein the manual actuator ismovable between a first position, in which the cam surface exerts afirst force on the blade to secure the handle relative to the blade, anda second position, in which the cam surface exerts a second force on theblade to allow relative movement between the handle and the blade. 21.The handle of claim 19, further comprising a clamp member coupled to thehandle and positioned adjacent to the blade, the cam surface engagingthe clamp member, the actuator being movable to change the amount offorce the cam surface exerts on the clamp member to change the positionof the clamp member relative to the blade.
 22. The handle of claim 21,wherein the clamp member is adjustable.